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OLED instead of LCD, waterproof instead of fragile, 38 grams lighter: On paper, the new iPad mini is a big step forward. However, the spec sheet also reveals aspects where the model with the A17 Pro keeps pace or even surpasses it. Anyone who owns an iPad mini today or is thinking of buying one should be familiar with both.
With the iPad mini (A20 Pro), Apple fundamentally revamped its smallest tablet on October 26; all specifications, prices, and dates for the new model are in the overview. The predecessor with A17 Pro was released in October 2024 and is no longer available in the Apple Store; all previous generations are collected on the iPad mini topic page. The figures in this comparison come from Apple's data sheet for the new iPad mini and the support data sheet for the iPad mini (A17 Pro).
Key Facts at a Glance
- The new model features an 8.5″ OLED display with up to 1,200 nits, while its predecessor had an 8.3″ LCD with 500 nits. ProMotion is not included in either model.
- The A20 Pro model is 5.4 millimeters thin instead of 6.3 millimeters, 38 grams lighter and for the first time protected according to IP67.
- The new model has a five-core CPU in the 128 GB and 256 GB versions, while the predecessor had six cores in each size.
- The battery is slightly smaller at 18.9 watt-hours; Apple states a runtime of up to ten hours for both.
- The entry price in Germany is rising from 679 to 749 euros.
All differences are listed in the table
| iPad mini (A20 Pro) | iPad mini (A17 Pro) | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 8.5″ OLED, Super Retina XDR | 8.3″ LCD, Liquid Retina |
| Resolution | 2316 × 1512, 326 ppi | 2266 × 1488, 326 ppi |
| Brightness | 600 nits (SDR), 1,200 nits peak (HDR) | 500 nits |
| Nanotextured glass | optional from 256 GB | – |
| CPU | 5 cores (128/256 GB), 6 cores (512 GB) | 6 cores |
| GPU | 7 cores | 5 cores |
| Neural Engine | 16-core, dual 16-core at 512GB | 16-Core |
| Mass | 195.3 × 132.6 × 5.4 mm | 195.4 × 134.8 × 6.3 mm |
| Weight | 255g (Wi-Fi), 263g (Cellular) | 293g (Wi-Fi), 297g (Cellular) |
| Water and dust protection | IP67 | – |
| Front camera | 12 MP Center Stage in landscape format, ƒ/2.0 | 12 MP Center Stage, ƒ/2.4 |
| Flash at the back | adaptive True Tone flash | True Tone Flash |
| Speakers | Stereo with Acoustic Display | Stereo in landscape format |
| Radio | WLAN 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread | WLAN 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Cellular | 5G (sub-6 GHz), modem Apple C2 | 5G (sub-6 GHz) |
| Battery | 18.9 Wh, up to 10 hours. | 19.3 Wh, up to 10 hours. |
| Fast Charging | up to 50 % in approximately 30 min. (from 35 W) | not specified |
| Colours | Midnight, Polaris | Blue, Violet, Polaris, Space Grey |
| Price Germany | from €749 | last available from €679 |
Display: OLED is the biggest difference
The difference you'll notice the moment you turn it on is the display. The predecessor used a backlit LCD and reached 500 nits. The new OLED panel displays true black, reaches 600 nits in full screen, 1,200 nits with HDR content, and can be dimmed down to 1 nit in the dark.
The screen size increases from 8.3 to 8.5 inches, while maintaining the same pixel density of 326 ppi. Those who read a lot outdoors can opt for nano-texture glass starting with the 256 GB model. However, the new model doesn't offer a higher refresh rate: Apple explicitly lists it without ProMotion, so the scrolling experience remains unchanged.
Chip: more graphics, but not more CPU everywhere
The new model offers a clear improvement in graphics performance, with seven GPU cores instead of five, resulting in up to 2.7 times the performance according to Apple. Neural Accelerators in each GPU core accelerate local AI models, and memory bandwidth more than doubles.
The picture is mixed when it comes to the CPU. The A17 Pro has six cores in every storage size: two for performance and four for efficiency. The A20 Pro in the new iPad mini only has five cores in the 128GB and 256GB versions, three of which are dedicated to efficiency. Six cores and the dual 16-core Neural Engine are only available with the 512GB model. Apple's claim of up to 60 percent more multithreaded performance refers to this latter variant.
Design, weight and water resistance
The new casing is 0.9 millimeters thinner and 38 grams lighter. This difference is clearly noticeable in the hand with a device of this size, especially when reading with one hand. The footprint remains almost the same; the new model is 2.2 millimeters narrower.
New is the IP67 protection rating: up to one meter water depth for up to 30 minutes. The predecessor had no protection rating. The color selection, however, has shrunk from four to two; blue and violet are no longer available.
Camera and Audio
The front camera on the new model has moved to the long side, like on other current iPads. This means that during landscape video calls, it sits above the center of the screen instead of on the side. The aperture is now f/2.0, which is brighter than the f/2.4 of its predecessor. The rear camera remains at 12 MP, but the flash is now an adaptive True Tone flash.
In terms of sound, the Acoustic Display replaces the previous landscape-oriented stereo speakers. Apple promises more bass and volume because woofers work through the display and tweeters are located between the glass and the casing.
Radio, battery and charging
In terms of wireless connectivity, the new model jumps a generation forward: Wi-Fi 7 instead of 6E, Bluetooth 6 instead of 5.3, plus Thread for smart home devices. The cellular version uses Apple's own C2 modem.
The battery, at 18.9 watt-hours, is slightly smaller than the 19.3 watt-hours of its predecessor. Apple states the same battery life of up to ten hours for both. A new feature is the official fast-charging specification: with a power adapter of 35 watts or higher, the A20 Pro model reaches 50 percent charge in approximately 30 minutes. Apple does not provide such a figure for the previous model.
Price: 70 euros more for the entry price
The iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip was last priced at €679 in the Apple Store, with the cellular model starting at €849. The new model starts at €749, and the cellular version at €919. The price difference is €70 in both cases. The older model is no longer available from Apple; those wishing to purchase it will have to rely on retailers for stock.
Some accessories remain compatible. Both models work with the Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil (USB-C). Apple offers a dedicated Smart Folio for the new case.
For whom is the switch worthwhile?
I would base the upgrade from the A17 Pro model primarily on the display. Anyone who reads a lot, watches series, or uses the iPad mini in bed at night will notice a significant difference with OLED. Add to that the lighter weight and water resistance, which are especially important for a device used on the go.
Those hoping for smoother scrolling will be disappointed. And those who primarily use the iPad mini for taking notes, reading, and browsing will notice little difference from the new chip, especially since the entry-level model has one less CPU core. For these uses, the A17 Pro model remains a good device that already supports Apple Intelligence.
Upgrading from a 6th generation iPad mini or older is almost always worthwhile. Those just starting out and undecided between the two models should opt for the newer one, unless the older model is significantly cheaper. TheiPad buying guide will help you determine which iPad is the best fit for your needs.
Are you upgrading from the iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip, or will the LCD model be sufficient for another year or two? Let us know in the comments what you primarily use your iPad mini for and whether OLED is the deciding factor for you.
Frequently Asked Questions: iPad mini A20 Pro vs. A17 Pro
The display: OLED with up to 1,200 nits in the new model, LCD with 500 nits in the predecessor.
No, like its predecessor, it works without ProMotion.
The graphics performance is significantly improved, with seven GPU cores instead of five. The CPU models with 128 GB and 256 GB of storage have five cores instead of six; six cores are only available with the 512 GB model.
Apple claims up to ten hours of battery life for both models. The battery in the new model is slightly smaller at 18.9 watt-hours.
Yes, both models support the Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil (USB-C).
No, only the new model has a protection class of IP67.
In Germany, the starting price is 70 euros: 749 euros instead of the previous 679 euros, with mobile phone service 919 instead of 849 euros.
